Electric-switch installation



Aug. 6, 1929. s. w. MAUGER ELECTRIC SWITCH INSTALLATION Filed July 23,1924 Ir-nvenfitor- Samuel. VV. mauger I T HLs Attor gy Patented Aug. 6,1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL W. MAUGER, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEC-TRIO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH INSTALLATION.

Application filed July 23,

My invention relates to electric switch installations of the type inwhich a plurality of similar switches are arranged one above the other,and the object of my invention is to provide improved interconnectingmeans for the simultaneous operation of all of the switches.

My invention will be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will bepointed out in the appended claims.

1n the drawing, Fig. 1 is a front view of a three phase switcharrangement shon ing three similar switches arranged on separate floorsof a building and adapted for simultaneous operation; Fig. 2 is a sideview of the same; and Fig. 3 is a detail.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a vertical wall of the buildingwhich houses the switch apparatus; 2, 3 and 4 represent successivefloors of the building, and 5, 6 and 7 represent intermediatepartitions. Each of the individual switches 8, 9 and 10 is mounted upona separate floor, the three switches being arranged in verticalalinement with each other. These switches may be of any suitable type,the particular switches illustrated by way of example being a type incommon use having main contacts 12, bridging conducting members 13 and14, and secondary contacts which are contained in explosion chamber 15.Opening of the switches is effected by an upward movement of the movablecontacts thereof. On the top floor 2 is located the switch operatingmechanism, a portion only of which is shown at 17, namely that forobtaining a straight line movement of the operating rod. The mainoperating rod or pipe 18 extends down through the floor 2 to thecross-head 19 of switch 8. From the central portion of this cross-headan insulating rod 20, preferably of wood, extends down through thepartition 5 to the bridging members 13 and 14. Secured to opposite endsof the cross-head 19 are rods or pipes 21 which also pass down throughthe partition 5 and through the floor 3 to the cross-head 22 of switch9. To the central portions of this cross-head is secured an insulatingrod 23 which like the rod 20 passes through the intermediate partition 6in this case, and is secured to the bridging members of switch 9. Fromthe cross-head 1924. Serial No. 727,831.

22 the rods 21 continue on down through partitions 6 and floor 4: to thelastcrosshead 21 to which they are suitably secured. The bridgingmembers of the lower switch 10 are operatively connected to thecrosshead 24 by an insulating rod 25 as in the switches alreadydescribed. \Vhere the rods 21 pass through the floors and parti tions,guide sleeves 2S and 29 respectively are employed and between theseguide sleeves extend insulating sleeves 30 which serve to shield andinsulate the operating rods where they pass through the switchcompartments. The sleeves 30 are shown adapted to connect slidably attheir upper ends with portions of the guiding sleeves 29 in order tocompensate for variations in distances between floors and partitions.

\Vhile I have shown and described the operating mechanism as locatedabove the several switches, it will be obvious that the arrangement maybe reversed if desired and the operating mechanism located below theswitches.

It will be seen that by this construction all three switches 8, 9 and 10may be actuated simultaneously by the operating mechanism through theone main operating rod 18 which for mechanical reasons is preferablymetallic. Also that while the operating connection to the currentcarrying bridging members of each switch is an insulating rod inaccordance with the usual construction, the operating connectionsbetween switches, which for mechanical reasons are also preferablymetallic, are spaced laterally of the switches and sufficiently removedfrom the current carrying members to avoid danger of short circuits orsparkovers to ground.

The three switches 8, 9 and 10 may respectively control the circuits ofthe three conductors of a three phase system. The phases are thusisolated from each other. The arrangement may be duplicated for as manythree-phase circuits as desired as is well known in the art.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is:

1. In combination, a plurality of switches arranged in verticalalinement, an operating mechanism therefor, and means forinterconnecting said mechanism with the movable elements of saidswitches for simultaneous operation thereof comprising a plurality ofvertical rods extending on opposite sides of said switches, cross headsconnecting the rods and means connecting the cross heads with themovable elements of the respective switches.

2; In combination, a plurality of switches arranged in verticalalinement, a common operating mechanism therefor, and means operativelyconnecting said mechanism with said switches comprising a cross head foreach switch, spaced rods secured to the ends thereof and arranged onopposite sides of said switches, and rods connecting the movable membersof the switches with intermediate portions of the respective crossheads.

3. In combination, a plurality of switches arranged one above the other,a common operating mechanism therefor, and means connecting said.operating mechanism with the movable elements of said switches, saidmeans comprising a cross-head for each of said switches, an insulatingrod connecting each cross-head with the movable elements of itsrespective switch, and spaced rods arranged on opposite sides of saidswitches and connected to the ends of said crossheads. r V

4. In an isolated phase switch installation, a plurality of switchesmounted on separate floors in vertical alinement, common operating meansmounted above the uppermost switch, means connecting said' operatingmeans with the movable members of said switches comprising rodsextending vertically on opposite sides of said switches and throughcertain of said floors, guide sleeves in said floors for said rods, andshields for said rods attached to said guide sleeves.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of July,1924.

SAMUEL N. MAUGER.

